Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2nd verse same as the first 2016-2017

You guys treat every team like they're the 2002 red wings. Notre Dame is decent enough but Merrimack and Northeastern are nothing special. Only two of the games are on the road.

You're right, of course. As someone said a few pages back, the current degree of parity in D-1 is unprecedented, and very few teams are automatic wins or automatic losses anymore. Still, I'm sticking with my prediction of no more that 12 wins this season.

All Maine needs to get competitive again is 3 or 4 better-than-average forwards, and a truly quality goalie. Not exactly seeing that in the pipeline right now, but you never know how the recruits will pan-out.

One thing I can say with certainty is this: if Maine doesn't go over .500 next year, and at least flirt with home ice in the HE playoffs, Red must go. He's already become the worst coach in Maine history, IMO.

Well some of us don't like to be negative nellies, unlike most of you guys. Maine is fully capable of sweeping NU at home, splitting with ND (at home) and winning at Merrimack. Merrimack is not Minnesota-Duluth or North Dakota.

Of course Maine is capable of beating these teams, will they? Most of us base predictions what they have done on the ice. Based on that they are more likely to lose then they are to win. I see 3 points, anymore than that will be great

One thing I can say with certainty is this: if Maine doesn't go over .500 next year, and at least flirt with home ice in the HE playoffs, Red must go. He's already become the worst coach in Maine history, IMO.

It just might need to come to that. Id say if the AD doesnt start to do a under the radar search for the next coach, soon, he is out of touch. Get some coach prospects in sight and pursue who you want in one or two years. Keep Red in a recruiting, fundraising, program mentoring roll.??

Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2nd verse same as the first 2016-2017

Originally Posted by Fishman'81

You're right, of course. As someone said a few pages back, the current degree of parity in D-1 is unprecedented, and very few teams are automatic wins or automatic losses anymore. Still, I'm sticking with my prediction of no more that 12 wins this season.

All Maine needs to get competitive again is 3 or 4 better-than-average forwards, and a truly quality goalie. Not exactly seeing that in the pipeline right now, but you never know how the recruits will pan-out.

One thing I can say with certainty is this: if Maine doesn't go over .500 next year, and at least flirt with home ice in the HE playoffs, Red must go. He's already become the worst coach in Maine history, IMO.

Hopefully Swayman is the goalie we have missed since Bishop. He looks promising but time will tell.

I think a lot of fans don't realize how good Chase Pearson is. If he doesn't get hurt he will have the most goals by a freshman since Colin Shields. He plays good D and is great on face-offs too.

There are a few good prospects in next year's class but again time will tell. Hopefully Doherty is a difference maker as well. It will be very interesting who comes and goes in the offseason.

Originally posted by BobbyBrady
Crosby probably wouldn't even be on BC's top two lines next year

Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2nd verse same as the first 2016-2017

Originally Posted by NorthMike

It just might need to come to that. Id say if the AD doesnt start to do a under the radar search for the next coach, soon, he is out of touch. Get some coach prospects in sight and pursue who you want in one or two years. Keep Red in a recruiting, fundraising, program mentoring roll.??

I truly have nothing against Red, but I don't see him as being a fit in any of those roles... None of 'em.

He's made his money at Maine, and he can laugh all the way to the bank if Maine fires him after next season.

But on the ice, he's been a dismal failure so far. No if's, and's or but's about that.

Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2nd verse same as the first 2016-2017

I truly have nothing against Red, but I don't see him as being a fit in any of those roles... None of 'em.

He's made his money at Maine, and he can laugh all the way to the bank if Maine fires him after next season.

But on the ice, he's been a dismal failure so far. No if's, and's or but's about that.

Look what he was left with though. His last full class had six forwards in it, only two of them were good enough to make it to senior year. Byron has been good and Brown decent but out of six players you need more than that.

The bigger failure was what was left for recruits. There were six players left and three weren't even D1 players (Morris, Salerno, and Bjorkung), one was borderline D1 (Badger), one was an okay D1 player (Cloonan), and one was a decent D1 player but with issues (Pecararo). Timmy has completely gotten a free pass for this failure.

Originally posted by BobbyBrady
Crosby probably wouldn't even be on BC's top two lines next year

I truly have nothing against Red, but I don't see him as being a fit in any of those roles... None of 'em.

He's made his money at Maine, and he can laugh all the way to the bank if Maine fires him after next season.

But on the ice, he's been a dismal failure so far. No if's, and's or but's about that.

I dont disagree, unfortunately for the players, school and the fans its been a bust. Red knows hockey and seems to be respected in the hockey world. Must be something there that can support the program.

Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2nd verse same as the first 2016-2017

Originally Posted by Fishman'81

You're right, of course. As someone said a few pages back, the current degree of parity in D-1 is unprecedented, and very few teams are automatic wins or automatic losses anymore. Still, I'm sticking with my prediction of no more that 12 wins this season.

All Maine needs to get competitive again is 3 or 4 better-than-average forwards, and a truly quality goalie. Not exactly seeing that in the pipeline right now, but you never know how the recruits will pan-out.

One thing I can say with certainty is this: if Maine doesn't go over .500 next year, and at least flirt with home ice in the HE playoffs, Red must go. He's already become the worst coach in Maine history, IMO.

McGovern last week could not be blamed for any of the PC goals. He was pretty solid between the pipes but the rest of the team besides Byron were forgettable.

Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2nd verse same as the first 2016-2017

Originally Posted by Drew S.

Look what he was left with though. His last full class had six forwards in it, only two of them were good enough to make it to senior year. Byron has been good and Brown decent but out of six players you need more than that.

The bigger failure was what was left for recruits. There were six players left and three weren't even D1 players (Morris, Salerno, and Bjorkung), one was borderline D1 (Badger), one was an okay D1 player (Cloonan), and one was a decent D1 player but with issues (Pecararo). Timmy has completely gotten a free pass for this failure.

Not giving him a free pass by any means, but you have to admit that two of his guys are easily Maine's best players...

Saw Byron and Brown in their first two games wearing a Maine sweater. Could tell right off the bat that were special. Not seeing "special" from any of Red's recruits.

Look what he was left with though. His last full class had six forwards in it, only two of them were good enough to make it to senior year. Byron has been good and Brown decent but out of six players you need more than that.

The bigger failure was what was left for recruits. There were six players left and three weren't even D1 players (Morris, Salerno, and Bjorkung), one was borderline D1 (Badger), one was an okay D1 player (Cloonan), and one was a decent D1 player but with issues (Pecararo). Timmy has completely gotten a free pass for this failure.

Its been four years whats on the ice aint on TW anymore. Oh and he left two full time NHL guys....AND so far Reds best results gave been Year 1 with what 95% TW kids?

Its been four years whats on the ice aint on TW anymore. Oh and he left two full time NHL guys....AND so far Reds best results gave been Year 1 with what 95% TW kids?

If this were football or basketball you would be right, but hockey recruiting is competely different. The good kids commit two or three years before they show up and Maine's best chance to get good players is to jump on them before other schools get involved. Cam Brown committed almost eight years ago as an example. Red actually has some promising kids lined up for the next few years. It takes a lot longer to get the talent than folks realize.

If this were football or basketball you would be right, but hockey recruiting is competely different. The good kids commit two or three years before they show up and Maine's best chance to get good players is to jump on them before other schools get involved. Cam Brown committed almost eight years ago as an example. Red actually has some promising kids lined up for the next few years. It takes a lot longer to get the talent than folks realize.

Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2nd verse same as the first 2016-2017

Originally Posted by BoSox3066

Yet somehow Leaman and Bazin manages to have success within 4 years.

Yes they have...and there Programs have backed them fully since they've been hired. Winning brings better recruits while Maine's swoon since the end of the Whitehead ERA and into the 4 years of RG has done nothing but shut off the recruiting trail. Not a pretty picture and won't get solved anytime soon.

Yes they have...and there Programs have backed them fully since they've been hired. Winning brings better recruits while Maine's swoon since the end of the Whitehead ERA and into the 4 years of RG has done nothing but shut off the recruiting trail. Not a pretty picture and won't get solved anytime soon.

Bottom line, if you can coach the team starts pointing up. Is there an example in a major conference of a regime that's regressed like this in Years 2, 3, and 4 and then gone on to actual success? And if not why do we think this one will do the unprecedented?

Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2nd verse same as the first 2016-2017

He was given his chance and has failed...period...no improvement, no accountability, no leadership what so ever. Won't happen but after the season he should look in the mirror and realize that for all his good intentions he should admit this is too much for him and RESIGN. Like I said won't happen, not what anyone wanted...to see him fail and not get this program back on the tracks. It's a MESS, with solutions not forth coming.

Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2nd verse same as the first 2016-2017

I didn't see a player on the ice for Maine last night that would get out of the stands for a BC or BU. Looking over the recruits, I don't see anyone that would be above the third or fourth line on a good Hockey East team.

Maine needs to bring in a youngish, energetic head coach with no ties to the program. Zero. Just bleach the whole thing and burn it to the ground.